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Small Farmer microfinance software system

Small Farmer microfinance software system . By Mr Alex Weir, Harare, Zimbabwe. Major Features . Project written in Nairobi Kenya 2007/02 – 2007/03 Programmed in postgres 8.2 using mainly EMS software product to debug stored procedures

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Small Farmer microfinance software system

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  1. Small Farmer microfinance software system www.cd3wd.com/sfmss/ By Mr Alex Weir, Harare, Zimbabwe

  2. Major Features • Project written in Nairobi Kenya 2007/02 – 2007/03 • Programmed in postgres 8.2 using mainly EMS software product to debug stored procedures • Programmer had lots of sql server experience, some oracle experience, zero previous postgres • System written under windows, to be run under linux • System would have java front end • System composed of postgres functions running in a loop with a sleep command, waiting for incoming sms and email messages to appear as rows in a table www.cd3wd.com/sfmss/

  3. System was designed to partially automate interactions between the microfinance organisation, the agrobusiness company (Bidco of Kenya – oilseed and sunflower specialists), and a number of farmers’ groups (average size 25 small farmers, with approximately 1 acre (0.4 hectare) each) • Automation was done by structured sms’s sent from the leaders of these farmers groups to the system, which then made decisions based on a heavily parameterised management module and communicated automatically or semi-automatically to the farmers groups, the bank, Bidco, and the stockists of agricultural inputs (seed and fertiliser) • The system allowed a very few admin personnel (e.g. 2) to effectively deal with a large number of farmers (e.g. 20,000). The result would be a microfinance system which was efficient and non-exploitative towards the farmers, and which would have all kinds of useful management reporting built in. www.cd3wd.com/sfmss/

  4. Interface with bank was the most primitive aspect – Equity Bank Kenya had electronic banking, but in 2007/03 still no facility for bulk payment through file submission, therefore system instructed payments to be done to web screen, accountant did manual payments through his e-banking web screen, then produced statement, which was copied and pasted back into the system for checking and logging • It was planned that future capability would include bulk payments from file www.cd3wd.com/sfmss/

  5. Lessons from the project • Project design and system design had been scrappy/faulty, although programming capability of Kenyan software house (www.verveko.co.ke) seemed good • Project design had been faulty from both sides – the NGO which commissioned the project and also Verveko. • There are distinct advantages from building fat server systems, especially using SQL as the main programming language – the longevity and interoperability of SQL is high compared with client side languages • It is fun to build systems which are socially useful as well as being technically elegant and efficient www.cd3wd.com/sfmss/

  6. Where from here? • As far as I know, the project was never completed • But the system had a lot of good features and capability • A large part of the problem lies with the aid and development community, which seems to have an aversion to running projects which succeed • The World Food Program (WFP/PAM) is currently starting a project in 19 countries called Purchase for Progress (P4P) • P4P has a plan to include assistance with inputs (seed and fertiliser) • I am trying to get through to WFP that the system built for prideafrica.com / drumnet.com in Kenya can be used as a basis for a P4P Inputs System www.cd3wd.com/sfmss/

  7. The source code and database structures (and contents of parameter table) are to be found at www.cd3wd.com/sfmss/ • I am interested in building an online version of the system for use globally either free or for a small charge per transaction. One hosting could typically be used by 20 schemes in 8 countries (or 200 schemes in 80 countries). • The main obstacle at the moment is the lack of low-cost SMS Gateway services which can be used in conjunction with such systems • Possible Zain (formerly Celtel) and other MNP’s throughout Africa and the Third World could set up such low-cost or zero-cost SMS Gateway services for non-profit and/or socially desireable operations (the same sms gateway could also operate on a chargeable basis for other businesses – see cd3wd.com/smszim/ for ideas and concepts) • Of course if we can move to low-cost smart phones with internet capability running off GPRS, then the sms gateway pre-requirement would no longer exist. Such phones are now available for in the region of US$ 80-00 (and hopefully falling), as compared with an sms-capable mobile phone for US$ 40-00. • Another obstacle was the attitude of organisations like Equity Bank, who seemed to think that electronic banking was something for corporate clients and middle- and upper-middle-class customers only – not something for the common man and woman! • Thanks for your time!..... Contact me at cd3wd.com/contactus/ www.cd3wd.com/sfmss/

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